Rapaport TradeWire January 3, 2019

Happy New Year! Diamond trade ends relatively good year with 1 ct. RAPI +0.7% despite weak 2H. Diamond manufacturers cautious amid expectations of continued midstream consolidation due to bankruptcies and mergers. Dealer market quiet over New Year holiday. Polished suppliers start 2019 with high inventory of small goods up to 0.30 ct. Total diamonds listed on RapNet +24% year on year to 1.5M on Jan. 1. Positive US holiday season sees strong store and web traffic. Retail outlook optimistic, boosted by tax reforms and low unemployment, but stock-market volatility, higher interest rates and US-China trade tariffs may slow luxury spending.

RAPNET DIAMOND INDEX (RAPI™)

Weekly

Monthly

Y2Y

0.30 ct

-0.07%

-3.90%

-1.21%

0.50 ct

-0.52%

-1.51%

2.55%

1.00 ct

-0.47%

-1.25%

0.39%

3.00 ct

-0.37%

-2.82%

-3.85%

The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) is the average asking price in hundred $/ct. of the 10 percent best priced diamonds, for each of the top 25 quality round diamonds (D-H, IF-VS2, GIA-graded, RapSpec-A3 and better) offered for sale on RapNet - Rapaport Diamond Trading Network.

Market Reports

United States: Trading expected to increase in January following decline in inventory levels during holiday season...

Polished prices edged up in 2018, mainly due to a strong first half, though the US-China trade war and volatile stock markets injected uncertainty in the final six months. The latest issue of the Rapaport Research Report outlines steps the industry must take to stimulate growth in the years to come.

Pre-owned watch-and-jewelry marketplace has already amassed more than $7 million.

De Grisogono Hires Piaget Exec as CEO

Céline Assimon will manage brand development and product expansion.

mining

Gem Diamonds Signs Off 2018 with 125ct. Find

Stone is the 15th over 100 carats miner recovered during the year.

general

India Aims to Promote Its Jewelry in UAE

GJEPC partners with metals group to boost interest in nation’s goods.

Nilesh Sheth to Continue as IDCA President

New York-based group reelects Nice Diamonds chief.

Rare Opal Contains Trapped Insect

Animal may have been stuck in amber that was later opalized.

FINANCE

Diamond Industry Stock Report

Retail stocks rebounded this week after a December slump, with J.C. Penney (+12%), Signet (+9%), Tiffany (+7%), Macy’s (+5%) and Walmart (+5%) all rising. Petra Diamonds (+22%) and Stornoway Diamond (+8%) both increased, though other miners were mainly flat. Chow Sang Sang (-6%) and Chow Tai Fook (-1.9%) fell following disappointing Chinese manufacturing data and a warning from Apple about a slowdown in the region.